Chapter 8 #2
Rian wholeheartedly agreed with his dragon.
The madness had not been knocked away by Kellan’s punch.
It was still very much alive, only held at bay by Rian’s incredible strength and determination.
Going rogue and letting the dragon run amuck would get Audrey back, but the cost would be Rian’s humanity and the death and destruction of everyone and everything in the beast’s path.
No, the humans could handle it, but the urgency of the situation remained.
It weighed upon the Dragon Leader more with every beat of his heart.
Reminding himself that he would be no good to Audrey as a mindless killing machine and that he needed his wits about him to save the woman he loved, Rian looked up at Kellan and gave a single nod of recognition.
Holding out his hand, Kellan asked, “You okay?”
Before the Dragon Leader could answer, Rory whined from somewhere behind him, “Is he okay? I’m the one who hit the ground like a piece of garbage.”
“Yeah, but he’s the one I hit.” Kellan rolled his eyes as Kyra burst out laughing.
“Kyra!” Royce scolded.
Kyra didn’t even try to stop laughing, only winked at Rian.
“No, she’s right.” Rian half-chuckled, half-groaned as Kellan pulled him to his feet.
Moving his jaw back and forth, he thanked the Universe for his miraculous strength and healing. Without it, there was no doubt his jaw would still be shattered. Looking back to his old friend, Rian said, “Thanks, Kell.”
With a simple nod, the scarred dragon moved to the far corner of the room.
He stood watching, always accessing, always at the ready, almost as if the retired soldier was expecting an attack.
It was something he’d done ever since returning from war scarred and fundamentally different in ways Rian had yet to figure out.
The day would come when Kellan would have to face his demons and the Dragon Leader would be there for his friend just as Kellan had been there for him.
Looking around the room, he was glad to see the McKennons taking his momentary trip into insanity in stride.
Even Brenna, the most timid woman Rian had ever met, was smiling at him.
He smiled back even though he didn’t feel it.
His ability to maintain control was being tested to its limits, but he had to keep it together.
Not only for Audrey, but also for the people who looked to him as a leader.
Rian met the eyes of every one of the McKennon witches as an additional reassurance of his sanity.
Walking toward the kitchen where Kyra and Calysta were having a serious discussion about the Looking Glass, Rian stopped when Lennox nearly spit the iced tea he was drinking across the room at something Pearce had just said.
With his hands on his hips, Rian turned to face them and asked, “What? What now?”
Barely able to speak, Lennox stuttered, “F-f-f-forget your c-c-c-clothes there, c-c-c-chief?”
Rian shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair.
He had indeed forgotten to put on a shirt or shoes on as he’d run out of his house as if the world was ending.
It only stood to reason that the McKennons were staring at him like he had lost his last marble.
They had to be wondering why in all that was holy he was ever given the highest position in their clan as he stood before them in nothing but his ragged old blue jeans.
Spinning around to apologize, the Dragon Leader said, “I’m so…” and that was a far as he got as a worn grey T-short flew through the air, hitting him right across the face.
“Thanks, Roy.” He rolled his eyes at his brother before pulling the shirt over his head, turning back to the living room, and finishing his apology. “Sorry about that, ladies. Sorry for it all.”
“No need to be sorry, Rian. The girls understand,” Sarah Beth, the matriarch of the McKennon family, answered. “We’ve all gotten a little crazy over the ones we love.”
Nodding at the older white witch while keeping a tight leash on his emotions, Rian again started toward the kitchen. He needed to know what the two most powerful witches in the world had been able to find out about the safety of his mate.
Barely in the room before Kyra started to speak without looking up from the Moldavite amulet, Rian moved closer while listening. “It shut off when Mom got about ten feet away from you. The power to use this thing definitely comes from you. I can’t even get it to spark.”
Finally looking up, the tiny platinum-haired witch smiled. “But I can tell you that what you were seeing was an old memory. Really old from the feel of it.” Kyra stopped talking, looked at her mate, and began to bite her bottom lip.
Rian could hear the buzz of the couple speaking directly into one another’s mind.
He attempted to listen and found out they were using their unique connection—one he was not a part of.
Not willing to waste any more time, he punched Royce in the arm and barked, “Just tell me, dammit. Whatever it is, just tell me. I gotta get going. I have to get Audrey outta there.”
“First of all, you’re going nowhere without all of us, and second, Kyra is positive the Demon Lord was manipulating the memories you saw.”
Kyra picked up right where Royce ended. “I can feel the taint of his magic.” Her lip was curled, her nose crinkled across the bridge, and she shuddered, “It was strong black magic. He was there. The jerk was baiting you. He knows you have serious white magic on your side and he wants it. I can feel the greed and envy he has for your power and your beast. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has some dragon blood in him somewhere, or at least has tasted it.
He knows how strong you are. All he needs is your name and I have no doubt he would summon you to hell. ”
“You can tell all that from feeling his magic?”
Nodding, eyes wide, Kyra jumped up and walked right up to Rian.
“Damn straight. That SOB is made of magic. I would venture to say he’s millions of years old.
You don’t get that old without serious mojo from every source you can find.
Demons of his level beg, power, and steal magic of all kinds.
It’s survival of the fittest and boy oh boy, is Adramelech fit.
He’s old. Has been in power a very long time.
But don’t mistake strength with smarts. The bastard may be superhero strong but he’s stupid, irresponsible, and greedy. No match for us.”
“Kyra,” Royce sighed and shook his head. “We talked about this.” His last words ended in a growl.
Rian watched as the little witch spun in her toes and marched over to his brother, shaking her finger the whole way. “Do not growl at me, Royce O’Reilly, I swear to…”
Kyra’s next words disappeared in a surprised ‘Oomph’ as Royce threw her over his shoulder and excused them both. The room erupted into laughter as Kyra could be heard yelling, “I swear to the Goddess, I will turn you into a…” right before the door to their room slammed shut.
“Roy is in for it now,” Rory laughed.
“You better watch it, Ror. Kyra’s got good hearing and a deadly aim when she’s pissed,” Lanced teased.
Rian watched Sam smile while cuddled close to Lance’s side. A bone deep envy the Dragon Leader was embarrassed for feeling threatened the tenuous hold he had on his rage. He needed Audrey out of hell. He needed her safe. He just needed…her.
Unwilling to wait for his younger brother to settle his domestic disagreement, Rian turned to the group.
“I believe Royce has the right idea. The Guardsmen and I will go to hell.” Holding up his hands to stop the flurry of complaints he saw brewing in the witches’ eyes, the Dragon Leader continued.
“This is one mission I can honestly tell you we’re going into blind and I won’t risk any of your lives.
We,” he motioned to his brethren, “share a blood bond that allows us to keep tabs on one another. I know y’all are strong and when together, damn near unbeatable, but the fact still remains going to hell quite literally means dousing yourself in pure evil, and I’m not willing to risk your white magic.
We’re gonna need everything you’ve got when we bring Audrey and Kayne home. ”
He paused and looked around the room. It was now or never; he had to tell them the one thing he’d been holding back.
The only thing he thought would keep them from helping him save his mate.
Taking a deep breath, Rian spoke the words he’d dreaded saying for as long as he could remember.
“There is a demon inside Audrey. It is apparently dormant, but I have no clue what will happen to her when we bring her topside. As devious and scheming as Adramelech is, I can only guess it will try to possess her when out of the Demon Lord’s control. ”
Looking directly at Alicia because she knew the kind of bond mates share, he spoke directly from his heart, “I’m gonna need your help to get it out of her. I’m not going to hell and back to save Audrey just to lose her to some damn low level demon Adramelech stuck inside of her.”
Alicia nodded and confirmed what Rian already knew; she was a smart cookie.
“And that’s why you always used a Devil’s Trap when you summoned her.
Makes sense.” Reassuring him with a smile, she added, “We’ll be here waiting with a Devil’s Trap and Exorcism Rite.
Eleanor and Elmer can help us. She had to go back to her coven tonight, but I’ll make sure she’s here when we need her. ”
“Thank you,” was all Rian could say. He was truly humbled.
“I believe you are right, Rian. We should stay here,” Calysta agreed, entering the conversation from over his shoulder.
She handed him back the Looking Glass and a large oval shaped Rose Quartz set in polished silver.
“You need to keep your mate close and with this,” she tapped the soft pink stone, “you guys will be able to communicate with us up here. You hold great magic—all of you—and we can help you use it to battle whatever you may come up against. I also have this for you.” She held out a small leather bound notebook.
“It contains the spells to open Kayne’s coffin and neutralize whatever else is around him.
Sarah Beth and I put it together after we rescued Drago.
It stands to reason it will work with all of his men considering they were locked away by the same wizards.
Their kind like to stick to what they know.
I knew we’d need it again, just not so soon, and definitely not in the Underworld. ”
Before he could answer, the back door opened and in waltzed Drago and Maddox, laughing and talking like they were attending a party, not a planning session to go to hell. “See Madman, I told you the young’uns wouldn’t leave without us. They need us.”
Deciding to avoid any further complications, Rian agreed, “You know it. We were just waiting on y’all.” To Drago he said, “Alicia said you were resting your eyes. You good to go? We’re outta here at noon tomorrow…or later today, whatever time it is.”
“I’m good.”
“Me too, ya’ little asshole,” Maddox grumbled under his breath before busting out laughing. “I always have your back. I’m a sucker that way.” The entire room erupted into laughter that just as quickly died when dragon magic filled the air around them.
Running to the door, Alicia screamed, “Oh my Goddess!”
Faster than the eye could track, Drago was by her side, sword drawn, sunglasses flying through the air. One look out the window and the Assassin immediately relaxed, yelling through the screen, “Anyone ever tell you to call ahead, young man?”
“Now, where’s the fun in that?” Jace yelled just a few seconds before he and Melanie appeared at the door. “But I will tell you there’s a purple dragon landing in about five minutes. How’s that for calling ahead?”
Opening the door and motioning them in, Sarah Beth hugged her surrogate daughter, Melanie, and kissed her cheek, as well as Jace’s. “I am so glad to see y’all.”
“Jace heard there was trouble and had to come, which meant Liam had to come, so here we are. Tomas and Hollie are off helping the Angels with something but said to call them if you needed them.”
Just as predicted, Liam and Hannah walked through the door about five minutes later. Rian watched as everyone welcomed the younger couples. About ten minutes into the festivities, Kyra and Royce reappeared, looking no worse for wear.
Rian was speaking to Liam and Jace to see how much they knew and to make sure they were ready for the battle yet to come.
It was no surprise when they both said Rory had been keeping them up to date.
Royce, who’d made his way over to them, snorted.
“That boy is better than CNN. He gets the word out faster and you don’t even need a TV. ”
When Melanie and Hannah came to retrieve their mates, Royce pulled Rian into the kitchen where Rory was already at the table, reading Calysta and Sarah Beth’s notes. Rian grabbed a glass of iced tea then sat down between his brothers.
To Rory, he asked, “Anything good?”
“It’s just exactly what they used and taught us to use when we got Drago outta that hole. If Calysta, Kyra, and Sarah Beth think it’ll work, then I have no doubts. You?”
“Not a one,” Rian answered, more than ready to get the show on the road. “Good job telling the young’uns. I wasn’t going to involve them, but I’d imagine with witches for mates, they’re more prepared than I am.”
“I figured you’d be pissed. But Jace and Liam are good.”
“Yeah, they are,” Rian agreed, looking at two of the youngest of the MacLendon Force and two Guardsmen he was glad to have on his side.
“I heard you telling the others only the Guard was going after Audrey and Kayne. How did that go over out here? It pissed Kyra off so bad I had to hold her back.” Royce was watching his mate as he spoke and from the twinkle in his eye, Rian was sure ‘holding Kyra back’ was code for something a whole lot more fun than it sounded.
“Calysta and Alicia agreed so everybody else was good with it. She gave me this amulet and said we can communicate with them while we’re down there.” Rian showed Royce the Rose Quartz pendant.
“Calysta?”
“Yeah, she also gave me the notebook she and Sarah Beth made with all the spells to get Kayne out of whatever God forsaken tomb we find him in.”
Still looking at Kyra, Royce spoke directly into Rian’s mind along their unique link. “What are the chances we’re all coming out of this alive?”
“A hundred percent if I have anything to say about it.”
Then aloud with his dragon rumbling in his head, the Dragon Leader mumbled to himself, “I’ll take nothing less.”